74 



impossible, and the unimportance certain. In goodness of temper and 

 docility, these Horses resemble the Arabians, and are said to be very 

 sure-footed. They are accustomed only to walk and gallop, in their 

 own country, and in the latter pace are great striders. The mountain 

 Horses and those of Morocco are found to be the best. Arabians also 

 have been immemorially introduced into and propagated in Barbary ; 

 in consequence, a commixture of the breeds must have been common, 

 although they always have been attainable piu'e of each class. They 

 have spread as far as the borders of Guinea, and are found in consi- 

 derable perfection on the banks of the Gambia, and doubtless extend 

 across the Lybian desert, towards the confuies of Egypt. 



The Turks import Horses from their numerous provinces; and in 

 Turkey, may be found almost every variety of the Southern Horse. 

 I am uncertain whether I have ever seen any of the native breed of 

 that country, but according to Dr. Russell, they are of a large size 

 and martial appearance. If the Doctor's information be correct, it is 

 probable, the old Turkish breed is extinct, which, according to the 

 description we have of them, seem to have been the real quality 

 Horses of the Duke of Newcastle, namely, fruges consumere nati ; 

 and from their delicacy, fit for little else. They were said to be hand- 

 some, elegantly ibrmed, full of spirit, speedy, and to have skins so soft, 

 that they could not endure the currycomb, but to ha^e long and loose 

 necks, legs and carcases, Aveak appetites, to be unequal to fatigue, and 

 soon distressed. It is remarkable, that the writer who says all this of 

 the native Turkish Horses, immediately continues, that they are never- 

 theless capable of much labour and furnished with unfailing Avind. 

 And I believe this too, for we have not received a single axiom from 

 antiquity, more worthy to be depended upon, than, tliat nothing is, hut 

 wliich also is not. Uncertainty is certainty. 



In Turkey and the bordering countries, the same manege and treat- 

 ment of the Horse prevails. The dung dried in the sun to a fine soft 

 powder, is used as litter, being renewed by continual drying. This 

 amongst us makes an excellent stratum for covered rides. In the East 

 it acts as a kind of powder to the hair of the Horses, giving their fine 

 coats a beautiful gloss. The Horse furniture of the Turks, is highly 



ornamented. 



